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[[File:Georgettes-1.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Two georgettes next to their car in Mişeyáke, 1965]]

'''Georgette''' ([[Gylic alphabet|Gylic transcription]]: ''Jorjet'') is a term used in [[Gylias]] to refer to members of a largely {{wpl|middle class}} {{wpl|silent majority}} group with distinctive lifestyle traits, as well as a subculture that displays said traits more conspicuously.

Georgettes emerged from the [[Golden Revolution]] and [[Economy of Gylias#Economic miracle|economic boom]] experienced by Gylias in the 1960s. They are associated with affluent lifestyles and passive {{wpl|progressivism}}, comparable to {{wpl|bourgeois}} {{wpl|bohemianism|bohemians}}, famously described by writer [[Esua Nadel]] as "a beloved creature endemic to Gylias and existing nowhere else".

In Gylias, the term is used with multiple meanings: it can refer to the georgette subculture, the post-revolutionary middle class as a whole, or as a generic reference to ordinary Gylians. Georgettes have been frequently depicted in Gylian pop culture, particularly in pairings with more adventurous or unconventional characters.

==Etymology==
The term comes from the 1964 film ''[[Georgette]]'', depicting scenes from the life of a woman with a bourgeois lifestyle and broadly conformist personality. The film's ambiguous viewpoint made it very successful, and the subject of debates that sustained public interest in it. The title came to be used as a {{wpl|synecdoche}} to refer to similarly apolitical persons who were not directly involved in the [[Golden Revolution]].

Although the term comes from a female character, it is used in a gender-neutral fashion.

The term gained multiple meanings since its spread, and has been noted for its flexibility and playful ambiguity. Anthropologist Rueda Lasfæ identifies four "significant overlapping definitions" of georgettes:
<blockquote>
# People who are politically neither revolutionary nor reactionary: "they simply take Gylias as it is and carry on with their lives."
# People who are content with their life is and want to get on in it.
# People who embrace bourgeois values and enjoy collecting {{wpl|status symbol}}s without {{wpl|conspicuous consumption|conspicuous intentions}}.
# People who jocularly construct for themselves public {{wpl|persona}}e in which they pretend to be shallow consumerists.</blockquote>

==History==
The term was first used in [[Media of Gylias#Newspapers|''The Nyretak Times'']] in March 1965, in an article which referred to "georgette-like voters". The term came into widespread use in the 1960s, being shortened to "georgette", and accumulated its commonly accepted definitions. The georgette {{wpl|subculture}} also emerged during this period.

Significant references to the concept include [[Ŋéida Vaşad]]'s studies of georgette voting patterns, and Melina Koumantaros' 1973 book ''New Comfortable Gylians'', an influential sociological study of the phenomenon. Melina identified the subculture's tongue-in-cheek {{wpl|consumerism}} as a result of widespread economic prosperity, and a facet of the [[Culture of Gylias#Luxury|ideal of socialised luxury]].

==Characteristics==
[[File:Georgettes-2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A georgette couple in Kalyta in 1965, displaying several typical georgette traits: stylish gender-neutral appearance, customised clothing, and tongue-in-cheek allusions to consumerism.]]

Georgettes are often defined as largely apolitical counterparts to the radical forces that drove the [[Golden Revolution]]. Not actively involved in transformation to the same extent as its vanguard, georgettes are calmly accepting of the ''status quo''. 

Their use of newfound prosperity to indulge in [[Culture of Gylias|popular culture]] and consumption that [[Xevden|previous generations had been excluded from]] represents a less active manifestation of the revolutionary impulse.

The georgette persona is built on a contradiction: outwardly imitating the conformist and unimaginative qualities of the ''{{wpl|petite bourgeoisie}}'' while embracing modernity. The passive absorption of the innovations and experiments of Gylian culture and society serves to infuse the stereotype with colourful and lively qualities — much as [[Denise Sarrault]] did with the archetype of the {{wpl|housewife}}. 

The georgette identity has been described as "supportive but playfully ribbing" the Golden Revolution, by using their freedom to jokingly present themselves as apathetic and sedate consumers.

Notable influences on the georgette identity include the sartorial styles of [[Ðaina Levysti]], [[Rin Tōsaka]], and [[Aliska Géza]], and [[Esua Nadel]]'s persona as a sharp-dressed, wisecracking observer and satirist. The exaggerated, ostentatious presentation of the subculture has been compared to {{wpl|performance art}}.

===Fashion===
Georgettes' appearance is broadly in line with [[Ðaina Levysti#"Levystile"|Levystile]] trends, and heavily emphasises customisation. Common elements include clothes with buttons, full silhouettes, eccentric touches, colourful hats, and jewelry and other accessories. The subculture is famous for its humorous preoccupation with clothes and appearance. 

===Lifestyle===
[[File:SaraThomas.jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Sara Thomas]], a photographic model, actress, and musician famous for her "ultimate georgette" persona.]]
Georgettes lack overt class-based identities and traits, but in practice represent the {{wpl|middle class}} of Gylians. They are typically [[Education in Gylias|highly-educated]], hold professional qualifications, and live in cities. 

They mainly work as {{wpl|white-collar worker}}s and {{wpl|pink-collar worker}}s, in professional and administrative roles, or in service occupations such as [[elevator attendant]]s, [[tray vendor]]s, {{wpl|tea lady|tea servers}}, {{wpl|filling station attendant}}s, telephone operators, and {{wpl|taxi dancer|paid dance partners}}.

Non-salaried workers tend to be {{wpl|self-employment|self-employed}}, independent professionals, or involved in {{wpl|small business}}. A notable proportion of self-employed georgettes are [[hétaïre]]s and [[Merchants (Gylias)|merchant]]s.

Georgettes primarily live in {{wpl|public housing}} and {{wpl|housing cooperatives}}, and decorate their residences in a "{{wpl|space age}} {{wpl|bachelor pad}}" style. 

Many georgettes drive cars, and car ownership is something of a point of pride. The appeal of cars comes from their association with middle class lifestyles, and the high taxes and public policies that discourage car ownership in favour of {{wpl|public transportation}}, unexpectedly making cars an attractive {{wpl|luxury good}}. The [[SV-1]] achieved its iconic status in the [[Golden Revolution]] in part due to its popularity among georgettes.

They also use [[Transport in Gylias|public transport]], own a bike or {{wpl|scooter (motorcycle)|scooter}}, or small {{wpl|pleasure boat}}s if they live by the sea. Much like clothing, georgettes customise their cars and bikes, and have a utilitarian mentality, {{wpl|carpooling}} and helping friends with transportation.

Georgettes are generally associated with drinking {{wpl|wine}}, particularly {{wpl|champagne}}, largely because of the beverage's "classy" reputation.

Georgettes are known as active and discerning consumers with eclectic tastes. They are strongly represented among the audience of [[Neo-Gylian Sound]]. [[Media of Gylias|Publications]] associated with georgettes include the magazines ''[[L'Petit Écho]]'' and ''[[Silhouette (magazine)|Silhouette]]'', whose aesthetics match the group's pursuit of sophistication, the newspaper ''[[L'Actualité]]'', and cultural magazines such as ''[[Downtown]]'', ''[[Mişeyáke Metro Mail]]'', ''[[Surface]]'', and ''[[The Current]]''.

===Social outlook===
Milena Koumantaros describes georgettes as "well-dressed, well-heeled, and well-mannered", concluding that they are "too polite to rock the boat but too comfortable to feel threatened by novelty." Beneath their playful surface of "middle class stodginess", they are fundamentally shaped by the Golden Revolution, and their expressed views display strong sympathies with [[Anarchism in Gylias|anarchism]], {{wpl|progressivism}}, and [[Socialism in Gylias|socialism]]. Their image as devotees of leisure and consumerism reflects anarchist {{wpl|refusal of work}} sentiments.

Georgettes display the strong commitment to {{wpl|reciprocity (cultural anthropology)|generalised reciprocity}} that was imprinted on Gylian society during the [[Free Territories (Gylias)|Free Territories]] and [[National Obligation period]]. 

In contrast to their apolitical airs, georgettes are strongly involved in [[Communal assemblies (Gylias)|communal assemblies]] and [[Local government in Gylias|local governance]], and have been credited with shaping the festive and elegant atmosphere of [[Election Day (Gylias)|Election Day]].

Georgettes similarly feel comfortable with the existence of {{wpl|counterculture|countercultural}} and radical movements, regarding them as a sign of a healthy society. This unadventurous but tolerant approach has contributed to their public perception as amusing {{wpl|foil (literature)|foils}} for idealists and radicals. As a group, georgette voters have been resilient supporters of the [[Gylian consensus]], and have been receptive to [[Populism in Gylias|left-wing populist]] themes and rhetoric.

Georgettes are generally {{wpl|swing voter|floating voters}}, not attached to ideologies or parties, and mainly focused on {{wpl|quality of life}} issues. Their preference for incremental changes indicates a conservative temperament, which does not necessarily mean they are conservative in politics. 

At the local level, georgettes primarily support {{wpl|residents' association}}s, [[List of political parties in Gylias#Local parties|localist parties]], [[List of political parties in Gylias#Regional parties|regionalist parties]], and the {{G-UM/meta/shortname}}, {{G-PPFN/meta/shortname}}, and {{G-IRAM/meta/shortname}}. 

At the federal level, they have been a backbone of support for the {{G-NB/meta/shortname}} since its foundation, thus playing a significant role in shaping the {{wpl|progressive conservatism|progressive}} and moderate character of [[Conservatism in Gylias|Gylian conservatism]].

==In popular culture==
[[File:SimaDaian.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Actress [[Sima Daián]] (pictured in 1967) earned particular fame for her portrayals of georgette characters.]]

Georgettes are commonly depicted in Gylian pop culture, and are one of its most recognisable character types. The majority of portrayals are positive or gently affectionate parodies. The most common theme associated with them is the coexistence of georgettes and radicals, often used as a shorthand or explanation for the success of Gylias.

While ''[[Georgette]]'' (1964) retained a detached perspective and ambiguous attitude, the georgette truly came to life on screen with ''[[Sandra (film)|Sandra]]'' (1965). The film embraced the character's point of view completely, having her as a {{wpl|fourth wall}}-breaking narrator, and quietly drawing humour out of the contradictions between Sandra's perspective and the events actually depicted on screen. 

The film made a star of actress [[Sima Daián]], whose playful and kind-hearted portrayal of Sandra infused the character with [[Wicked–evil distinction|mischievous charm]]. Sima subsequently made a career out of playing georgette roles in comedies, and influenced subsequent actresses.

In music, model and actress [[Sara Thomas]] carved a niche by producing a series of albums that juxtaposed [[Gylian Sound]] music with comedic spoken word monologues. Sara's work was mainly successful among georgette audiences, but it also received good reviews in the Gylian music press. Today, she is considered one of the pioneers of producer-driven pop and producers with individual identities as artists.

[[Kaida Rakodi]], Gylias' most successful operatic singer, was similarly noted for her georgette appearance, which she used to underscore her populist and accessible approach to her musical career.

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[[Category:Gylias]]